Fennel Sausage Pasta

The perfect dish to satisfy a craving for savory, simple, and comforting.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp fennel seeds

• 2-3 tbsp water (optional: 2 tbsp oil)

• 1 fennel bulb, sliced

• 1/4 cup onion, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• Gardein Beefless Ground (omit if you'd like this to be oil-free)

• 4 cups of pasta

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley

• Squeeze of lemon or lime juice

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Boil water and cook pasta according to package instructions

2. Heat pan on medium/low and dry toast fennel seeds for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, making sure to shake the pan as the seeds toast

3. Add water (optional: oil) and sauté the sliced fennel, chopped onion, and minced garlic for a few minutes until softened

4. Add Gardein Beefless Ground and sauté until crispy. With the toasted fennel seeds and fresh fennel, this will add a sausage-like flavor

5. Add cooked pasta to pan with all the sautéed plants, then add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice and mix everything together

6. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

7. Plate and top with fresh parsley

This dish is always satisfying and simple to whip up in no time. I also add capers or chopped olives if I have some on hand for greater savoriness. The lemon or lime juice adds sufficient acidity - olives or capers are just a bonus. Bon appetit!